Born in Italy 347, Jerome died near Bethlehem on September 30, 420. He was buried in the church of the Nativity. Later his body was removed to Rome.
Christopher Hall in his book Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, describes him as “a wondrous example of God’s grace working through” a person who was quick to take offense and lash out fiercely at opponents or those with whom he disagreed. “To attack Jerome’s opinion was to attack Jerome.”
On the other hand, he could be remarkably gentle, particularly with children. He advised a friend teaching his daughter the alphabet to include play in her lessons. “Do not scold her if she is slow. Arouse her ambition with praise.” “Give her some little present.” “Above all, never let her hate her studies, otherwise the bitterness learned in childhood may last until she is of mature years.” Today we know that positive reinforcement promotes learning.
Jerome was well educated. He was the only church father who knew Hebrew well. In 386 he settled in Bethlehem. Working in a large rock-hewn cell, he translated the Bible into Latin, the language of the people. Later his translation would be known as the Vulgate. It would be the standard Latin translation for 15 centuries.
God in his grace includes and uses all sorts of people in his Church. Hall writes, “In modern terms, Jerome displayed a finely tuned mind, a warm but troubled heart, and poor people skills.”
John 15:12, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Notice, that Jesus doesn’t command us to like one another. The pattern for our life is the great love for us that led Jesus to lay down his life for you and me, his friends.
Recent Comments